The Philippine government has hailed the creation of an artificial intelligence (AI) tool designed to detect fake news on Facebook, describing it as a step towards strengthening digital literacy and online accountability.
Malacañang said the innovation, called Tunai, represents a local effort to address the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation across social media platforms, the Philippine Information Agency reported.
AI-driven fact-checking on Facebook
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the AI fact-checking system aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for stronger safeguards against false information online.
The tool operates directly within Facebook, using AI to flag and verify questionable posts while directing users towards credible sources.
Developed by Bryl Lim and his team at PocketDevs, Tunai was the winning entry among 17 competitors in the first-ever OpenGov Hackathon, organised by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
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Protecting communities from misinformation
The creators of Tunai said the tool was designed to help Filipinos, particularly those in rural areas, identify misleading or fabricated content more easily.
Malacañang said the development of tools like Tunai complements the Marcos administration’s goal of fostering a “digitally empowered, transparent, and citizen-focused” government under its Bagong Pilipinas initiative.
Marcos has previously emphasised the need to strengthen the country’s digital defences and improve public resilience against misinformation campaigns.
The rise of generative AI has made the task of detecting false or manipulated content more complex, prompting governments worldwide to explore technological countermeasures.
For the developers of Tunai, the project’s success highlights the potential of locally driven innovation in tackling global challenges linked to information integrity and responsible digital engagement.
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KC Maderia 
Kamille Q. Cabreza 
John Christopher Aquino